Napheesa Collier named WNBA All-Star Game MVP as Team Collier cruises past Team Clark
It was a sign of things to come as Bueckers and Team Collier cruised to a 151-131 victory over Team Clark in the WNBA All-Star Game. Saturday marked the first time the league held its annual midseason showcase in Indiana, and for a state that proudly claims its love of basketball is greater than the other 49, the atmosphere remained upbeat despite a lopsided outcome.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier took home the MVP honors with an efficient performance that mirrored the ones that've placed her at the forefront of the regular-season MVP conversation. The five-time All-Star finished with 36 points, including four 4-pointers, and nine rebounds. Collier's 36 points were an All-Star Game record, but it's worth noting that Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale's previous record of 34 points in last year's All-Star Game was not aided by 4-pointers.
During Collier's trophy presentation, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert's voice was drowned out by loud chants of 'PAY THEM! PAY THEM!' in reference to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association. The players wore black T-shirts with white lettering that said 'Pay Us What You Owe Us!' during warmups to further their message about wanting higher salaries in the new CBA. The current CBA expires Oct. 31.
'The players is what is building this brand and this league,' Collier said. 'There is no league without the players. Past, present, the (players) coming up — they're the ones that have put in the blood, sweat and tears for the new money that's coming in, and so we feel like we are owed a piece of that pie that we helped to create.'
Aside from CBA levering, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray and Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum also had solid showings for Team Collier with 18 and 16 points. Plum provided some of the funnier moments of the night by fouling her former Las Vegas Aces teammate A'ja Wilson as Wilson dribbled up the court in the first quarter and refused to let her go.
Adding to her shenanigans, Plum threw the ball off the back of Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, who represented Team Clark, in the second quarter before throwing a behind-the-back pass to Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins, who then dished it to New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart for a layup that gave Team Collier a 76-54 lead.
Fellow Team Collier member and Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting to become the second all-time leading scorer in WNBA All-Star Game history. The 2012 No. 1 pick and 10-time All-Star has now scored 116 points in the All-Star Game, trailing only Lynx legend Maya Moore for the most all time (119 points). Diggins, a seven-time All-Star, made history as well. The Indiana native and 2009 Indiana Miss Basketball recorded the first triple-double in All-Star Game history with 11 points, 11 rebounds and an All-Star Game record 15 assists.
Fever star Caitlin Clark was sidelined for Team Clark on Saturday with a right groin injury, but as the unofficial host of All-Star weekend, her presence was still felt before and during the game. The two-time All-Star received the loudest roar during pregame intros and spent most of the night cheering on her teammates. However, in typical Clark fashion, she couldn't help but talk a little trash. After Plum got called for a travel in the third quarter, Clark immediately popped up off the bench and demonstratively mimicked the referee's traveling signal and made sure Plum didn't miss it.
The Fever were still well-represented in the All-Star Game with center Aliyah Boston and guard Mitchell making their third appearances. Mitchell paced Team Clark with 20 points, two rebounds and two assists. Boston chipped in with 9 points and six rebounds. Washington Mystics rookie Kiki Iriafen, also representing Team Clark, capped the night with a 4-pointer in the closing seconds. She scored 17 points off the bench as every reserve for Team Clark reached double figures in scoring.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, WNBA
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